A man’s love for milk tea in eastern China’s Zhejiang province turned into an unusual late-night adventure after he accidentally dropped his gold straw worth over Rs 12 lakh (100,000 yuan) while riding his electric bike. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the man, surnamed Shou, had the luxurious straw custom-made for his daily tea ritual — a decision that soon made him viral online.
The bumpy ride and the panic that followed
On his way home one night, Shou kept the straw in his trouser pocket. But as his electric bike rattled over a bumpy manhole, the precious item slipped out and vanished into the dark street. Panic-stricken, he searched for nearly an hour before finally calling the police for help.
When officers arrived, they were astonished to learn that the lost object was a 100-gram gold straw. Still, they decided to assist and began combing the area with flashlights. After thirty minutes of searching, they finally spotted the gleaming straw lying beside a pavement, nearly 100 metres from where it had fallen.
Relieved beyond measure, Shou reportedly told police, “Now my wife will not punish me by demanding I kneel on a washboard.” The idiom, well-known in China, humorously refers to a husband being scolded or punished by his wife for making mistakes.
Online reactions poured in soon after. One user commented, “He drinks milk tea with a gold straw but still rides an electric bike.” Another quipped, “Even if I saw a straw lying on the road, I wouldn’t believe it was gold.”
Why a gold straw?
Shou’s fascination with gold isn’t new. He revealed that he has been purchasing gold for over a decade and even owns a silver straw for his beverages. The straw’s value had increased by about 10 per cent in a month due to the global surge in gold prices.
Unfortunately, the golden straw was damaged during the fall. Shou has since melted it down and plans to have a new one crafted next summer—only this time, he promises not to carry it in his pocket.
Gold fever among China’s youth
The incident also highlights China’s growing gold obsession, especially among younger consumers. Traditionally gifted to newlyweds and newborns, gold has seen a modern resurgence as both a style statement and an investment. With prices rising over 60 per cent this year, many people are repurposing old gold instead of buying new ornaments.
In Shou’s case, his devotion to gold—and milk tea—blended into a bizarre yet heartwarming story, reminding everyone that sometimes, luxury can literally slip through your fingers.
The bumpy ride and the panic that followed
On his way home one night, Shou kept the straw in his trouser pocket. But as his electric bike rattled over a bumpy manhole, the precious item slipped out and vanished into the dark street. Panic-stricken, he searched for nearly an hour before finally calling the police for help.
When officers arrived, they were astonished to learn that the lost object was a 100-gram gold straw. Still, they decided to assist and began combing the area with flashlights. After thirty minutes of searching, they finally spotted the gleaming straw lying beside a pavement, nearly 100 metres from where it had fallen.
Relieved beyond measure, Shou reportedly told police, “Now my wife will not punish me by demanding I kneel on a washboard.” The idiom, well-known in China, humorously refers to a husband being scolded or punished by his wife for making mistakes.
Online reactions poured in soon after. One user commented, “He drinks milk tea with a gold straw but still rides an electric bike.” Another quipped, “Even if I saw a straw lying on the road, I wouldn’t believe it was gold.”
Why a gold straw?
Shou’s fascination with gold isn’t new. He revealed that he has been purchasing gold for over a decade and even owns a silver straw for his beverages. The straw’s value had increased by about 10 per cent in a month due to the global surge in gold prices.
Unfortunately, the golden straw was damaged during the fall. Shou has since melted it down and plans to have a new one crafted next summer—only this time, he promises not to carry it in his pocket.
Gold fever among China’s youth
The incident also highlights China’s growing gold obsession, especially among younger consumers. Traditionally gifted to newlyweds and newborns, gold has seen a modern resurgence as both a style statement and an investment. With prices rising over 60 per cent this year, many people are repurposing old gold instead of buying new ornaments.
In Shou’s case, his devotion to gold—and milk tea—blended into a bizarre yet heartwarming story, reminding everyone that sometimes, luxury can literally slip through your fingers.
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